Garner/Willow spring Vs. Wake Forest (Raleigh, Durham: 2014, chapel, houses)
Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill, CaryThe Triangle Area
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I am researching houses in the Garner/Willow Spring area ( close to ,and either just north or south of NC 42) as well as Wake Forest ( west of Capital Blvd.) my research criteria is as follows:
- 2200 to 2500 sq ft
-minimum 1/2 acre
- $260,000 to $300,000
there seems to be more housing available that meet my criteria in the Garner area then in the Wake Forest area- that is, prices seem to be higher for the same general type of house in Wake Forest. My question is why? is it the schools ? , taxes?, crime? Both of these areas are more or less equidistant from downtown Raleigh.
Wake Forest is a generally nicer area with better proximity to RTP. Garner/WS are fine though and depending on where you work, maybe more advantageous. You would certainly get more house for your money on that side of town.
The problem with Garner is, with the exception of one shopping center (White Oak), it still looks the same as it did 20 years ago. Unfortunately the older areas have become more run down. Parts of Garner proper have become a pretty rough hole. Not that I have anything against Garner I'm just merely stating my opinion.
Wake Forest has changed and grown substantially all for the better in the past 10 years.
That is complete nonsense. Not sure where the rough hole supposedly is. Garner has doubled it's population since 2000. That's a freaking doubling in size in 14 years.
Have lived in Garner to 20+ years. It's a fantastic community. To say it's booming would be an understatement. You get all the benefits of a larger home for the money, but all the amenities of a large city because Raleigh is only 10 minutes away. Garner was also voted as an "All American City" in a national competition last year. Lake Benson and White deer park are premier parks in the Triangle area. The Garner Performing Arts Center has great shows in and of itself without needing to go to Raleigh.
Garner was also voted as an "All American City" in a national competition last year.
I have absolutely no opinion on Garner, but I wouldn't really put much stock in the "All American City" thing. Fayetteville has won that numerous times.
In general Wake Forest is a more desirable area, but I do see quite a few folks post who are very happy in Garner. It's probably one of those things that you'll know which area is right for you when you see it.
That is complete nonsense. Not sure where the rough hole supposedly is. Garner has doubled it's population since 2000. That's a freaking doubling in size in 14 years.
Have lived in Garner to 20+ years. It's a fantastic community. To say it's booming would be an understatement. You get all the benefits of a larger home for the money, but all the amenities of a large city because Raleigh is only 10 minutes away. Garner was also voted as an "All American City" in a national competition last year. Lake Benson and White deer park are premier parks in the Triangle area. The Garner Performing Arts Center has great shows in and of itself without needing to go to Raleigh.
Nowhere did I state anything about Garner's population nor did I say it wasn't a good place to live. I agree White Deer park is fantastic. But none of this changes my opinion that Garner still looks the same to me as it did 20 years ago with the exception of a shopping center.
I am in Garner quite a bit and usually through different parts of the town so I have seen the deterioration of some areas. One area that specifically stands out to me is the areas surrounding W. Garner rd. towards Raleigh and the Creech rd. area. Notice in my first post I stated Garner proper. Looking at the map of Garner's town limits the area of which I am referring comprises appox. 20% of Garner.
The o.p. wanted to know why it was more expensive to live in Wake Forest over Garner. I merely stated my opinion why that is so. Again, I do not have any issues with Garner.
If you'd like to base the information on facts they can be gathered right from this website.
Garner's population has increased 50% in 14 years. However, Wake Forest's has increased 161%! Estimated median income in Garner is $59,797 whereas in Wake Forest it is $71,926.
Estimated median home value in Garner is $166,109 and Wake Forest is $252,173.
So now that the facts have been presented I think the o.p.'s question of "Why is it more expensive to live in Wake Forest over Garner" has been answered.
The other reason Wake Forest is more expensive is that the schools are very good as well. There really isn't a bad school or one to avoid in this area. I find it convenient to all parts of the Triangle including Chapel Hill and Durham which is a haul from Garner. I can be most places is 30-35 minutes from Wake Forest. They both have a different feel, so go visit and see which one feels like home to you.
Contrary to some opinions, all the reports I've read indicate that downtown Garner is a lot nicer than it was 10-20 years ago. It's quiet but it doesn't seem unsafe in any way. Taking Garner Rd into Raleigh is very industrial and a little run-down in places, but I find it hard to imagine that this is a recent development, and in any case, that whole area of "Garner proper" is a long way away from Rt 42 where the OP is looking.
That area is growing like crazy, with lots of retail along 42 and subdivisions cropping up on either side. There are also some great schools in the Cleveland area (Johnston County).
My impression is that Garner has a bad rep among some Triangle locals due to the way it was 10-20 years ago, but nowadays, it's mostly just a quiet town making the transition from country to suburb. And there's no other town so close to downtown Raleigh where you get as much house for your money.
We have close friends who live in the Lake Benson area of Garner at Heather Woods. It is a wonderful family friendly area - beautiful homes, close proximity to the lake and to downtown Raleigh, shopping nearby and overall seems like a close knit family friendly community. They even have a local celebrity in the ranks. ;-) So for Garner, I think it very much depends on which area of town you live in - not unlike other towns.
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